Are we a miserable lot?

[ianrauk]

Depends on the gradient.

Uphill or down?

 

[vickster]

Really? Head staring down at their front wheel? You think that's how they ride, do you?

Are people with bikes £4999 less friendly then than those with £5000 bikes then? Is that your cut-off for who you can tolerate sharing the roads with you before you dislike them based upon how much they have spent? Do you check Invoices to make sure?

"The kit" and "NEVER" just makes you come across as a very bitter individual anti a certain type of cyclist you don't like. Me? I welcome anyone to cycle, be that on a penny farthing, 'bent, trike, commuter, hybrid, MTB or racing bike and they can wear whatever makes them comfortable in their pursuit - no pathetic 'them vs us' here.

It's bollocks that those who 'train' or are more 'focussed' or ride expensive bikes, fully kitted out are less friendly. This whole 'them vs us' only exists in the minds of certain folk who hold a particular chip in their shoulders.

I've been cycling in many countries, in all its forms - including the UK - and there is some utter tosh being stated in this thread. Some of the most helpful cyclists in the UK - who actually promote cycling for all, who give up their free time as volunteers to help others enjoy their cycling, who organise events etc - belong to Clubs and in my experience are very friendly, despite many owning expensive bikes, training and even racing.

I don't recognise your perceived experiences. In the main, I get waves, nods etc returned from all types of cyclists I encounter on roads and trails.

The OP is in the US if that makes a difference. A country where prejudice against those perceived as different is not an unknown phenomenon

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Am I only the only one oblivious to the bike someone is riding? I recognise obvious clunkers, hear aero wheels and Ebike motors as they approach. But can’t say I focus on it, don’t think how much a bike costs, and just say hello.

 

[Time Waster]

When I owned a VW Beetle in the early 70s, it was still usual for Beetle owners to wave an acknowledgement as they passed in opposite directions.

The equivalent of 60s beetle and vw van drivers might now be part n of extinction rebellion and probably use public transport and utility bikes recovered from the tip. gas guzzling cars to drive to demonstrations. Singing away to a tune on the radio. Needless to say they aren't paying attention enough to reply to your wave.

 

[Mburton1993]

Uphill or down?

Any uphill or a very very steep down.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Missed the hood flick - just the slightest flick of the fingers off the hoods is the true Rapha wave!! 🤣

Two fingers, naturally.

 

[Time Waster]

Am I only the only one oblivious to the bike someone is riding? I recognise obvious clunkers, hear aero wheels and Ebike motors as they approach. But can’t say I focus on it, don’t think how much a bike costs, and just say hello.

View attachment 734543

A London commuter got his penny farthing stolen recently. He got it back eventually as the thief couldn't ride it. Made breakfast news!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

A London commuter got his penny farthing stolen recently. He got it back eventually as the thief couldn't ride it. Made breakfast news!

Must admit I treat my recumbent bit like that. Not always locking it up. The bugger wont be able to ride it. That does tend to be small villages where I’m just popping in a shop though.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I said hello to a two unicyclists on two separate occasions last week.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I said hello to a two unicyclists on two separate occasions last week.

Are you sure it wasn;t just one person and your eyes need testing??

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have noticed that - pre-pandemic - most people I passed on my normal ride waved or nodded
Then over the pandemic more people appeared - some waved some didn;t seem aware of the idea but gradually the number of waves/nods increased

Once the pandemic was over then a lot of the "extra people" disappeared - presumably back to work and the like - but the number of nods/waves dropped off far below the original levels

Quite rare on some rides nowadays

There also does seem to be different types of rider from this point of view
a) the ones that wave/nod as a normal thing
b) the ones that will reply but from the delay were not going to initiate it themselves
c) the ones that might have but didn;t see me or were not thinking that way at the appropriate time - either due to "training" or just what they were thinking about
d) the ones who would never have done so anyway

women seldom respond - for reasons that should be obvious

 

[Alex321]

I've been cycling in many countries, in all its forms - including the UK - and there is some utter tosh being stated in this thread. Some of the most helpful cyclists in the UK - who actually promote cycling for all, who give up their free time as volunteers to help others enjoy their cycling, who organise events etc - belong to Clubs and in my experience are very friendly, despite many owning expensive bikes, training and even racing.

Remember the OP (who is also the one making the post you responded to) is in the US, not in the UK.

Experiences may be different there, though I do agree they tend to come across as rather bitter.

 

[Alex321]

Am I only the only one oblivious to the bike someone is riding? I recognise obvious clunkers, hear aero wheels and Ebike motors as they approach. But can’t say I focus on it, don’t think how much a bike costs, and just say hello.

View attachment 734543

More or less the same. I will notice if is something obviously different, such as that penny-farthing, or a recumbent. But generally, for me it is just "another cyclist".

And so far as those obviously different go, the difference is something I will notice, but take no notice OF.

 

[Drago]

I recall listening to a spooky type podcast, where a family had an old car, they saw an identical one coming the opposite way, so they all waved as they passed, only to realise they were waving at themselves

Have they considered the possibility they were merely driving past an office block with mirrored windows?

 

[Alex321]

women seldom respond - for reasons that should be obvious

I've never noticed any difference in the response of men or women, TBH. Though I don't think I see as many solo female cyclists as male.